An illustration depicting the R60 million cocaine smuggling operation orchestrated.
The trial against a drug trafficker and dealer is at the Blue Downs Regional Court after he was arrested six years ago for allegedly orchestrating and receiving R60 million worth of cocaine, which was transported from Gqeberha to Cape Town inside a truck carrying bananas.
Mario Williams is on trial and facing three charges of dealing in drugs and possession of drugs relating to drug trafficking.
Eric Ntabazalila, Regional Communications for the National Prosecuting Authority, said Williams was allegedly caught red-handed in May 2020 after a tip-off had been received by the Directorate of Priority Crime Investigation (The Hawks) that the large consignment of cocaine was being transported to Cape Town from Gqeberha.
“The Hawks (Cape Town) followed up the information after the boss of the truck driver also informed them that there was something wrong with the truck, as the truck driver informed them that the accused offered him money and requested him to park his truck at Joostenberg Vlakte fuel station and then go into the one-stop shop and wait there,” Ntabazalila explained.
